Floribunda rose plant named ‘GRAsalm’

ABSTRACT

‘GRAsalm’ is a new and distinct floribunda type  Rosa  hybrid cultivar which is characterized by the combination of an upright to semi-weeping growth habit, complete resistance to  Diplocarpon rosae , nearly continuous flowering, double-type salmon flowers with tinges of apricot in hot weather, a strong rose fragrance, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation. The new cultivar is generally suited to landscape applications.

Latin name of genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Rosa hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Rosa hybrid disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘GRAsalm’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Australian Plant Breeder's Rights application number 2015001, filed on Jan. 7, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Rosa hybrid, floribunda rose cultivar, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘GRAsalm’.

Parentage: ‘GRAsalm’ is a seedling selection which resulted from the controlled cross-pollination of an unnamed Rosa hybrid female breeding line and an unnamed Rosa hybrid male breeding line. Both parents, developed by the same inventor and never commercially released, exhibited traits deemed commercially significant and desirable.

After many years of trialing, the female parent was confirmed to possess a combination of desirable traits such as complete resistance to rose black spot disease, complete resistance to powdery mildew, and flowers with a strong citrus-like perfume borne on a bushy plant growing to 1.2 m tall and wide. The male parent was selected for use in breeding after trialing confirmed the presence of strong true-rose perfume and a bright, modern flower color. During the summer of 2010, the female parent was emasculated and was manually pollinated with pollen from the male parent. In autumn of 2010, seed was collected from hips produced by the female parent and a number of seedlings were grown to a mature size, including the claimed plant. These progeny were further evaluated for desirable traits such as black spot disease resistance and strong perfume, and in June of 2011 the claimed plant was first observed. In January of 2013, after further evaluation for desirable traits, the claimed plant was deemed to be garden-worthy and suited to widespread cultivation. It was given the denomination, ‘GRAsalm’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual propagation of ‘GRAsalm’, by way of softwood stem cuttings, was first performed in May of 2011 at the inventor's nursery in Highfields, Australia. Through greater than twelve subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa cultivar ‘GRAsalm’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘GRAsalm’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits an upright to semi-weeping         growth habit; and     -   2. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits complete resistance to the         plant pathogen, Diplocarpon rosae, commonly referred to as rose         black spot disease; and     -   3. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits nearly continuous flowering;         and     -   4. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits a double flower type; and     -   5. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits salmon colored flowers, with         tinges of apricot in hot weather; and     -   6. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits flowers with a strong rose         fragrance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary 2 year old ‘GRAsalm’ plant grown outdoors at the inventor's commercial nursery in Highfields, Australia.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage and flower of ‘GRAsalm’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations and measurements, made in November of 2015, describe averages of two specimens of two year old ‘GRAsalm’ plants grown in red krasnozem soil, in full sun, at the inventor's nursery in Highfields, Australia. Temperatures ranged from approximately 12 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day and 3 to 18 degrees Celsius at night. Standard practices for irrigation, fertilizer and pest control were applied at appropriate times during the growing season. The plants were pruned in July of 2015 using accepted techniques for rose pruning.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘GRAsalm’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007 Fifth Edition except where common terms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘GRAsalm’ and comparisons with the parents and the most similar commercial cultivar of Rosa hybrid are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Upright to semi-weeping.         -   Growth rate.—Approximately 1 years to reach 100 cm.         -   Mature dimensions.—110 cm tall and 90 cm wide.         -   Cold hardiness.—Unknown.         -   Disease resistance.—Complete resistance to powdery mildew             (Sphaerotheca pannosa) and blackspot (Diplocarpon rosae). -   Propagation:     -   -   Technique.—Softwood stem cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 13 days at approximately 22             degrees Celsius ambient temperature.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 25 days at             approximately 21 degrees Celsius at root zone and 18 degrees             Celsius ambient temperature. -   Root system: White fibrous roots with many root hairs extending from     lesser roots in a featherlike arrangement. -   Branches:     -   -   Branching habit.—Irregular branching from mature branches,             breaking first from the uppermost buds near the apex of each             shoot.         -   Quantity.—Numerous.         -   General dimensions.—Approximately 40 to 60 cm long; 0.5 cm             in diameter near the base and tapering to 0.3 cm.         -   Immature branches.—Diameter — Approximately 0.3 cm. Texture             — Smooth; glabrous to moderately pubescent. Color — Near RHS             145C. Prickles — Density — Many. Color — Near RHS 39A. Shape             — Deltoid. Texture — Smooth.         -   Mature branches.—Diameter — Approximately 1 cm, after 2             years. Texture — Smooth; glabrous. Color — Near RHS 145B.             Prickles — Density — Many. Color — Near RHS 39A. Shape —             Deltoid. Texture — Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate imparipinnate compound leaves.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Dimensions.—11 cm long and 7 cm wide, on average. -   Petiole:     -   -   Dimensions.—Average of 1.5 to 2.2 cm long and 0.2 cm wide.         -   Color.—RHS 145C.         -   Texture.—Glabrous to lightly pubescent with few small hairs.         -   Prickles.—Not present.         -   Stipitate glands.—Not present. -   Stipule:     -   -   Dimensions.—1.2 cm long and 0.6 cm wide.         -   Color.—Near RHS 145C.         -   Texture.—Glabrous to lightly pubescent with few small hairs.         -   Margins.—Ciliate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Fused to the petiole.         -   Prickles.—Present         -   Stipitate glands.—Not present. -   Rachis:     -   -   Dimensions.—1.7 cm long and 0.2 cm wide.         -   Color.—Near 135D.         -   Prickles.—Present.         -   Stipitate glands.—Not present. -   Leaflets:     -   -   Quantity.—Normally 7 leaflets on axillary leaves.         -   Dimensions.—Average size of the terminal leaflet is 4 cm             long and 3 mm wide.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Rounded to cordate.         -   Margins.—Serrated.         -   Texture, pubescence and luster, adaxial surface.—Smooth,             glabrous, and semi-glossy.         -   Texture, pubescence and luster, abaxial surface.—Smooth,             glabrous, and matte.         -   Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface.—Near RHS 149C, with             some anthocyanin intonations, RHS 46A, at the margins.         -   Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface.—Near RHS 149D, with             some anthocyanin intonations, RHS 42C, at the margins.         -   Mature foliage color, adaxial surface.—Near RHS 139B.         -   Mature foliage color, abaxial surface.—Near RHS 138B.         -   Venation.—Reticulate.         -   Venation color, adaxial surface.—Near RHS 139B.         -   Venation color, abaxial surface.—Near RHS 140D.         -   Petiolule.—Dimensions — 0.2 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Color —             Near RHS 135D. Prickles — Not present. Texture — Smooth. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Terminal corymb consisting of             approximately 1 to 6 pedicellate flowers.         -   Blooming habit.—Almost continuous from October through June             in the southern hemisphere.         -   Time to flower.—6 to 8 weeks for a new stem to mature and             flowering begins to occur once a stem matures.         -   Dimensions.—18 cm from the base of the base of the lowest             pedicel to the farthest distal flower and 20 cm from             farthest outstretched flower on one side of the             inflorescence to the farthest outstretched flower on the             opposite side. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Dimensions.—14 cm long and 0.4 cm in diameter.         -   Color.—Near RHS 149A.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Texture.—Prickles present. -   Bud:     -   -   Bud form.—Ovate.         -   Size.—2 cm long and 2 cm in diameter.         -   Color.—Near RHS 143C. -   Flower:     -   -   Pedicel.—Dimensions — 5 to 6 cm long and 0.3 cm wide. Color             — Near RHS 151D. Strength — Strong. Texture — Slightly             pubescent; small hairs present.         -   Calyx.—General — Comprised of five polysepalous sepals, with             medium foliaceous appendages present on all sepals. Diameter             of calyx — 0.8 cm. Sepals — Color, interior surface — RHS             145D. Color, exterior surface — RHS 143C. Dimensions — 2.5             cm long and 0.8 cm wide. Apex — Acuminate. Base — Flat at             union with receptacle. Quantity — Five. Texture — Soft and             slightly felted. Margins — Two to three weak foliaceous             appendages. Stipitate glands — Not present. -   Corolla:     -   -   General shape of corolla.—Double; round.         -   Rate of opening.—10 days from bud to anthesis.         -   Dimensions.—8 to 10 cm in diameter and 3.6 cm deep.         -   Upper profile.—Flattened convex.         -   Lower profile.—Flat.         -   Fragrance.—Strong rose scent.         -   Lastingness.—On the plant for 5 days after anthesis.         -   Persistence.—Self-cleaning. -   Petals:     -   -   Petal count.—Exhibits double flowers with approximately 30             petals under normal conditions.         -   Petal arrangement.—Tight whorl.         -   Petal reflex.—Medium reflexing on outer petals.         -   Petal margin.—Entire; slightly undulating.         -   Petal shape.—Rounded.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Dimensions.—4.0 cm long and 3.6 cm wide.         -   Texture.—Soft.         -   Petal color, upon opening.—Upper surface — Near RHS 56C.             Lower surface — Near RHS 49A.         -   Petal color, at anthesis.—Upper surface — Near RHS 49D in             spring and changing to near RHS 22D in early summer. Lower             surface — Near RHS 48D in spring and changing to near RHS             24D in early summer. Fading — Salmon pink, RHS 36A, to pale             pink, near RHS 36D. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 100. Anthers — Shape —             Narrow ovate. Length — 0.1 cm. Color — Near RHS 169C. Pollen             — Many. Pollen Color — RHS 23A. Filaments — Color — RHS 43C.             Length — Approximately 2 cm.         -   Pistils.—Quantity — Approximately 50. Length — Approximately             0.8 cm. Stigmas — Shape — Rounded. Color — Near RHS 18B.             Styles — Length — Approximately 0.4 cm long. Color — Near             RHS 60A.         -   Ovary.—Dimensions — 0.5 cm long and 0.3 cm wide. Color —             Near RHS 3D.         -   Receptacle.—Shape — Pitcher-shaped. Dimensions — 0.6 cm high             and 0.6 cm wide. Color — RHS 130D. -   Hip and seed:     -   -   Hip.—         -   Shape.—Rounded.         -   Dimensions.—1 cm long and 1 cm wide.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Near RHS 150D. -   Seed: Not observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENTS

The new rose plant ‘GRAsalm’ may be distinguished from its seed parent, an unnamed breeding line, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. The flowers of ‘GRAsalm’ exhibit a salmon general tonality         with tinges of apricot in hot weather, whereas the flowers of         the seed parent exhibit a soft pink general tonality.     -   2. ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits juvenile foliage with heavy anthocyanin         intonations, whereas the juvenile foliage of the seed parent         lacks anthocyanin intonations.

The new rose plant ‘GRAsalm’ may be distinguished from its pollen parent, an unnamed breeding line, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. The flowers of ‘GRAsalm’ exhibit a salmon general tonality         with tinges of apricot in hot weather, whereas the flowers of         the pollen parent exhibit a purple general tonality.     -   2. ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits glossy dark green mature foliage, whereas         the pollen parent exhibits matte blue-green mature foliage.

COMPARISONS WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMON KNOWLEDGE

Plants of the new cultivar ‘GRAsalm’ may be distinguished from the commercial variety Rosa hybrid ‘GRAppl’ (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/120,562) by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. The flowers of ‘GRAsalm’ exhibit a salmon-pink to apricot         general tonality, whereas the flowers of ‘GRAppl’ exhibit a         purple general tonality.     -   2. ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits a petal count of approximately 30 petals,         whereas ‘GRAppl’ typically possesses 22 petals.     -   3. ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits average leaf dimensions of 11 cm long and         7 cm wide, whereas ‘GRAppl’ exhibits average leaf dimensions of         13.5 cm long and 8.5 cm wide.     -   4. ‘GRAsalm’ exhibits average bud dimensions of 2 cm long and 2         cm wide, whereas ‘GRAppl’ exhibits average bud dimensions of 3.3         cm long and 1.8 cm wide. 

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rosa hybrid plant named ‘GRAsalm’, as described and illustrated herein. 